An MSLT is done by prescribing a patient to take five naps over the course of one day. A Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) may also be offered. To officially diagnose cataplexy, a sleep study will be performed to review your brain activity while sleeping. Experiencing excessive drowsiness during the daytime is also another indicator of cataplexy. This disorder is generally diagnosed once a patient begins realizing they are experiencing episodes of muscle immobility while awake. Non-narcoleptic cataplexy can also be caused as a side effect to some medications, including: Other rare autoimmune and genetic diseases.World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.Īre associated with other, rare genetic diseases. Other Causes of CataplexyĬataplexy can occur even if you do not have narcolepsy, but it’s less common. It happens most often while falling asleep or waking up. Like cataplexy, you lose control of your voluntary muscles, but are often in a light sleep or on the edge of sleep when this occurs. This disorder is typically found in narcoleptic sufferers (though you don’t have to experience narcolepsy to experience sleep paralysis). If you experience excessive daytime drowsiness, as well as cataplexy, you could be diagnosed with type 1 narcolepsy.Ĭataplexy also has many similarities to another symptom of narcolepsy, sleep paralysis. Also called narcolepsy type 1, cataplexy is actually thought to be the same muscle paralysis you experience during REM sleep. Narcolepsy and cataplexy are closely connected. Why Narcolepsy Is Often Linked to Cataplexy Some might only experience cataplexy a few times in their lifetime, while other sufferers may have attacks multiple times a day. If you experience any of the above symptoms, finding a safe place to sit or lay down can help you avoid injuring yourself during a cataplectic attack.Ĭataplectic attacks typically only last a few minutes ( between 30 seconds and two minutes, on average). During this attack, your head will drop forward, your jaw will fall into your chest, and you may fall to the ground. Although you lose muscular control, you’ll remain awake and conscious. This is referred to as a cataplectic attack. If you lose full control of your voluntary muscles, you may collapse. Your head or jaw may also droop or become difficult to hold up. Those with cataplexy tend to start experiencing symptoms between the ages of 7 and 25, but this disorder can strike at any time. However, it has been linked to a decrease of neurons that produce hypocretin - a neuropeptide hormone that manages your energy expenditure, awakeness, appetite, and arousal.Ī 2010 study found a loss of hypocretin is caused by an autoimmune response which leads to the production of trib 2 antibodies, which target and kill off hypocretin-producing neurons. The cause of cataplexy is a bit of a mystery to the medical world. This typically impacts both sides of the body but can be isolated to only one.Īlthough cataplexy is often associated with other diseases or sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, stroke, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), multiple sclerosis, head injuries, and more, it can occur on its own. When cataplexy strikes, you lose control of your voluntary muscles for a period of time. What is Cataplexy and What Triggers It?Ĭataplexy is often triggered by sudden, intense emotions, including: We’ll break down everything you need to know about cataplexy, its symptoms, treatment methods, risks, and tips for living with it. However, cataplexy is not always linked to narcolepsy and can instead be caused by other genetic diseases or as a side effect of certain medications.Ĭataplexy is a complex, often misunderstood disorder that can greatly impact your daily life. There are two types of narcolepsy - those experiencing cataplexy are categorized as having narcolepsy type 1.
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